Landau Injury Law

At ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., we bring cases where there are permanent scars. Pictures of the scar sites are important exhibits at trial.  When there is a permanent injury, the judge must consider additional legal remedies and give special jury instructions that are critically important if the victim is to get full restitution.  Exhibits that illustrate the injured victim’s scars become part of the “record” if there is an appeal.  Photographs of scarring also enable the Landau injury law team to settle cases in advance of trial since the insurance company, their defense lawyers and the Defendant can all “see” the injury that their negligent conduct has caused.  In cases that are mediated or arbitrated, the judges have appreciated our method of photographing our clients’ permanent scar and injury pictures

However, photographs are more helpful if there is something showing scale in the picture, according to the judges interviewed by Loudoun, Leesburg and Fairfax injury lawyer Doug Landau.  That is why the ABRAMS LANDAU trial team will frequently take pictures of clients’ scars with a ruler, grid, quarter or other item of known dimensions also in the photo or digital image.  By using a ruler or yard stick, the judge and jury can look at the picture and immediately ascertain the length and width of a scar.  We have been successful in getting restitution for our injured clients in our cases involving permanent scarring.  If you or someone you know has a case with permanent scarring, please have them contact us at once.

In Virginia, if you are found dead at your workplace, there is a presumption that it is work-related. But, if you go into a coma, or die a day or month later, then it is not presumed to be a compensable workers compensation case and the claim may be denied if someone else cannot explain what happened to you. Herndon Reston area Workers Compensation lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. says this is “Nuts.”

Yesterday’s Washington Post carried the true story of a trucker who died after a fall left him brain injured and comatose. No one saw what happened in the Trucking company’s parking lot outside Fredericksburg. Investigators who reconstructed the scene later testified that the trucker, while getting ready for his daily drive, had fallen 12 feet from his truck and hit his head on the concrete. He remained in a coma and died 16 months later, never able to tell his family or supervisors what happened.

Since the fall and injury occurred at her husband’s workplace, at a time he was expected to be there, doing what he was expected to be doing, his family thought that they would be able to get the medical bills paid through Workers Comp. However, his widow was denied twice: (more…)

Having tried numerous job injury cases, Herndon injury lawyer Doug Landau is constantly asked why doesn’t OSHA do more to protect innocent workers who are injured or killed on the job. It has been nearly 40 since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was enacted to protect workers. Now, workers, organized labor and members of Congress say the government’s regulations are in need of an overhaul.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 6,000 Americans are killed annually in workplace accidents (more than 15 a day) and millions more are injured. But a study conducted by the AFL-CIO, using data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), found that the average fine for deadly violations is (more…)

According to the International Conference on Concussion in Sports, children and teens require different treatment for concussions, head trauma and brain injuries than adults. The guidelines, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, say children and teens must be strictly monitored and activities restricted. After a concussion: no return to the field of play, no return to school and no cognitive activity – until fully healed. “These recommendations mark the first time that international experts have focused on specialized treatment for kids,” said Dr. Gerard Gioia of the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “This conference of experts has led the way in developing protocols for adult athletes, and now international protocols take into consideration that the developing brain of the child and adolescent requires special consideration.” In light of the care required by children with concussions, brain trauma and head injury, it is recommended:

• No child or adolescent athlete should ever return to play on the same day of an injury, regardless of level of athletic performance.
• Children and adolescents may need a longer period of full rest and then gradual return to normal activities than adults.
• For children, “cognitive rest” is a key to recovery. While restrictions on physical activity restrictions are also important, cognitive rest must be carefully adhered to, including limits on cognitive stressors such as academic activities and at-home/social activities including text messaging, video games and television watching.

Here’s a “shout out” to former ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. law clerks Jaimy Serbin and Gwen Rogers. The Herndon Reston area injury and disability firm’s record for law clerks from GMU passing the bar is 100%. Many past clerks have gone on to successful careers here in Virginia and in other states. Dawn Boyce and Laurie Hand both went to George Mason and have become excellent lawyers. Loudoun Fairfax Injury Board member Doug Landau was recently asked to fill out Bar membership paperwork for Serbin and Rogers, as they are seeking admission to multiple bars. Landau wishes these former law clerks success in their legal careers and hopes that they visit the “Law Shop” in Herndon in the future.

Take pictures of the scene ! If you have been in a motorcycle crash, bike accident, car wreck, truck pile up or bicycle collission get pictures of the scene, your injuries and losses right away. Not the next week, month or year.

Leesburg and Loudoun County car crash lawyer Doug Landau was contacted as the result of a car crash at an intersection. The Defendant driver was charged with running a stop sign. However, a claim was made against the homeowner on the corner because the Plaintiff alleged that the car crash was the fault of the property owner ! The Plaintiff alleged the homeowner failed to maintain the property such that low hanging trees and high bushes obscured the stop sign, causing the car wreck. However, without pictures to prove that aspect of the case, a Court would likely rule against the Plaintiff. And, taking pictures now, 2 years after this car crash, would not be helpful, as a judge would not likely let them into evidence. This is because evidence must be timely and accurate. If there has been change to the scene since the cars crashed into each other (i.e., new bushes, widening of the street, different placement of the sign, etc.), then a trial judge will not let such photos be shown to the jury. Therefore, Leesburg & Loudoun County car, motorcycle, bike and truck crash lawyer Doug Landau of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. in Herndon, Virginia recommends that you, or someone you know, take pictures of you, the scene and your losses IMMEDIATELY, if not sooner.

What’s the best part of my job ?

Collecting hugs, giving good news to my clients and their families, and winning their cases. I also enjoy teaching and helping other lawyers to become better advocates on behalf of innocent, injured victims. This weekend I had the opportunity to combine my passions. My day started early; up at 5 AM to race in the Spotsylvania YMCA Sprint Triathlon at 7 AM. Winning the Masters division, my age group and finishing third overall again this year, I do not like the fact that the combined ages of the pair ahead of me was once again, still less than my own ! Nevertheless, I was awarded some useful prizes and a wonderful hug. My friend Edward Allen even came to see how I fared this year against “all those youngsters.” After the race, I was able to visit (and exchange hugs !) with friends, current and former car crash, airport injury, premises liability, and negligence case clients in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Fawn Lake. It was just another day in the life of the traveling Triathlon Trial Lawyer.

Celebrating “Hepatitis Awareness Day,” the 10th Annual “Tim Harmon 5K Run/Walk” was once again held at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Virginia. The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board’s Alcohol and Drug Services program sponsors the event to raise awareness of Hepatitis C and substance abuse in the community and to honor the memory of Tim Harmon who served as Director of CSB Alcohol and Drug Services Residential Services. Tim, who was instrumental in the development of the Community Service Board’s substance abuse treatment services that exist today, died from Hepatitis C (HCV) in 1999. This event is a tribute to Tim and his work, and an effort to make a difference to people impacted by HCV.

Shown here in front of the Fairfax Government Center is Race Director (and race participant!) Peg Cook, who gave an impassioned (more…)

Not many law firms can win an injured workers compensation claim, get a verdict in their truck accident negligence case AND also win their Federal Social Security Disability claim, but ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. injury lawyer Doug Landau has done achieved these results. Shown here is the Spotsylvania Courthouse where Doug Landau tried a case to a jury verdict o behalf of a construction worker whose hand was crushed by a cement mixer chute while building the steps on a Massaponnax Church.

In addition to winning this hard-working man’s negligence case, Doug Landau had previously won his workers compensation claim before a judge in Fredericksburg. After the workers compensation claim was won and settled, and the trucking company negligence trial verdict paid, Landau was able to with a third case for this gentleman and his family. Going to Richmond, Landau and his permanently disabled client won the Social Security Disability Income claim before a Federal Administrative Law Judge. Under the right factual circumstances, all three cases can be (and have been) won.  If you or someone you know has a permanent injury as the result of an accident, e-mail FrontDesk@LandauLawShop.com or call ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. at (703-796-9555) today. We can win their several cases in different courts and have a proven track record of successful representation before the Federal Government, the State Worker Compensation boards and the trial courts.

Attending a seminar on Hip Replacement Surgery, Doug Landau and Shawn Shook of ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., were able to learn about the latest techniques for a surgery that has benefitted many of the Herndon Reston area firm’s clients. Landau and Shook were also able to speak with the medical and manufacturing people and see the equipment used and prostheses available. The artificial ball and socket joint is remarkable in that it enables surgeons to not only replace a deteriorating hip, but also correct leg length discrepancies and other orthopedic imbalances.

One particularly interesting advance is a procedure known as the “anterior hip replacement.” By approaching from the front, rather than the side or back, the doctor can perform a less invasive surgery and reduce the pain, recovery time and scarring usually associated with a hip replacement operation. For more information on this technique, go to new hip news. This procedure has helped Doug Landau’s clients with hip pain, joint pain, reduction in hip movement, arthritis and traumatic hip and pelvic injuries from car wrecks, motorcycle crashes, workplace injuries, disabling diseases, sports injuries, attacks, bicycle accidents, slip and falls.